100 Accomplishments for 2008

To celebrate the coming of the new year I want to first honor my accomplishments for 2008.

Selected Courage for my year to guide me through a year of big changes.

I smiled more in 2008 than I did in 2007.

I sold my house of 12 years in a single day for over my asking price.

I bought a new home in Denver saying goodbye to the suburbs.

I hired an awesome contractor to build my dream studio on the back of my new house.

I have enjoyed the first 3 months of construction of my new studio.

I spent 446 hours in my studio making art (that an average of just under 8 hours a week. I had a few months during my house sale and move when I made no art)

I spent at least 700 hours marketing my art. I didn’t track it as closely as studio time but it was the lions share of my art career in 2008 as it was something I could do while the studio was inaccessible during the moves.

I created 4 new textile paintings in the Markings series.

I created 13 new textile patings in the Structures series.

I started new series inspired by my new house, called Home, and created 8 textile paintings – .

I started a new series of small works mounted on painted stretched canvas and created 21 textile paintings in the series – Lines.

I created 27 new ACEOs.

The result: I created 73 new pieces of art this year.

I set a goal of writing and sending 4 studio newsletters in 2008 – I met that goal by sending the 4th newsletter on New Year’s Eve.

I ended the year with 431 newsletter subscribers, exceeding my goal of 400.

I wrote 174 blog posts.

I joined twitter.

I wrote 1588 tweets (in about 4 months).

I ended the year with 400+ follows on twitter meeting my goal of 400.

I became more active on facebook.

I ended the year with 201 friends on facebook meeting my goal of 200.

I had a solo show of my Markings series in Boulder, CO in February.

I had a solo show of a few of my Structures textile paintings in Lincoln, NE in April.

I curated a group show at the Lux Center for Arts in Lincoln, NE in April.

I gave an artist talk at my February show – and love it.

I exhibited 6 large textile paintings at the Butler Museum of Art in Ohio.

When I first thought of this list I knew my studio time (~8 hours a week) would see so small compared to my prefvious years goals of 20 hours per week. And then I look at everything else I have accomplished and I wonder where I found those 8 hours plus the 12-13 hours a week for marketing my work.

Gratitude for all I have done this year feels like the perfect way to end the year.

Nice job Lisa – what a great list of accomplishments!!!! One thing you didn’t mention that seems to be key is that you maintained balance while doing all of these things. Thanks for the inspiration!

I’m sitting at home with a sick husband and you’ve inspired me to use this time to think of a word or two to live with in 2009 (in addition to my usual goals, which I don’t think I can let go of just yet). =)

A Happy New Year as it is January 1 here in OZ. You have so many acheivements to be proud of for 2008 you cerainly had Courage I am sure you will have a very successful 2009. You have encouraged me to think about a word to live by this year, I used to do it in the past so will again.

I discovered you in Alyson B. Stanfie’d’s I’d Rather Be in the Studio. I’m quite inspired by your list of accomplishments! What has been your process for documenting them?

Besides a great list, I’m inspired by you linking back to postings on your blog especially for people who haven’t read them yet. I’m inspired by reading your definition of success as an artist. That’ll be something I’ll be working on.

I think there’s something to be said for writing things down and voicing them to the world. My word for 2009 is “simplicity”.

Wow, how many days has your year? 1000?
You did so much in last year. You inspired me to make similar list. I am not going to publish it, but I want to look back a little.
I wish nice, happy and creative new year 2009 to you.

Wow, you have really inspired me!
Congratulations on your wonderful year and thank you for sharing your very positive outlook, I’m going to sit down today and do the same!
Best wishes for a wonderful new year!

Thanks Stacey and I think you are right. I really felt a good sense of balance this year. That really helped keep me moving.

Judy – I hope the word you choose serves you well.

Leah – I don’t document them through out the year. That’s a good idea through, to keep a running list in some location. It took me about 2 hours to compile this list last night – it was a good way to honor the end of 2008. I like the word simplicity – it’s how I think of my new studio – very spare – clean – simple.

Ivana – funny – creating a list like this is really a good way to appreciate all you did. I bet your own list will inspire you.

Bonnie – thanks – I’d love to hear what you think of the Danforth show.

Brenda – best wishes to you also and you are welcome for the inspiration.

Awesome! You’ve inspired me once again. I am going to try to come up with my own list as well as set some art related goals for this year.

BTW, I love perusing your affordable art page but am always looking through your blog for a link to it (I know I ought to just book mark it but that would be way too easy). Anyway, is there an obvious link somewhere that I am not seeing? Thanks.

I love that you shared your list of accomplishments with us. It’s so rewarding to look back over the year and see what you’ve accomplished.
Many times we don’t know how much we’ve actually done until it’s written down. You are inspiring, to say the least! The very best to you in 2009!